John...a beautiful boy

I'm still at Canaan's...I think this is where I left my heart. I don't know why. I saw conditions much, much worse and these children are fed, clothed and cared for at this orphanage. But God moved in mighty ways during my time at Canaan. It's where I think I saw Him and heard Him most clearly.

Sunday afternoon as we were leaving, I saw a boy leaning against the wall. He had crutches and it was apparent that his feet were crippled. He looked somewhat sad to me. I wondered about his story.

Monday afternoon when Pastor Isaac picked me up...I had a list of questions for him (not literally...just in my head). I asked him about John. John is 16 and John had polio. This is his story from the website.

John is from Buziika and he walks on crutches. Both parents are alive but they could not pay school fees for him. On one of the church missions, one of our missionaries decided to take care of John so he was brought to Canaan. John is doing very well and has always been the brightest pupil in his grade each year. He likes drawing pictures and writing.

John and I didn't interact very much on Monday. At one point, I looked over and he was standing by himself and once again my heart just became tender for him. I went and talked to him and asked him what he wanted to do with his life. He wants to become a bank manager. I talked to him for awhile and told him that he was fearfully and wonderfully made and that God loved him and that there wasn't anything he couldn't do with God's help. I told him that God had big plans for his life. I prayed over him and then I did what you're probably not supposed to do with a 16 year old teenage boy. I kissed him all over his face and hugged, hugged, hugged his neck. He might have thought I was crazy, but I did it anyway.

And then because God is so sweet and kind to me, John found me before he left. He gave me a note and this is what it said:
Dear Friend:
Thank you for coming to Canaan and I think by God's grace you will come back to Canaan again and give you this note for so that you remember me in your minds and pray for me and I will also pray for you. Please remember me on this.
From John

And then he had me write down my name and he said, "I'll pray for you".

I hugged him and kissed him again and got on the bus. God blessed me and brought joy to my heart through John. I think I'm going to frame the note...just so I always remember that God shows up and speaks in all different kinds of ways. Sometimes it's through a 16 year old boy in Uganda.

The Call of Christ

This video is moving. I hope you'll take 3 minutes to watch it.

Visiting Orphans is sending teams down to Haiti to help with these newly orphaned children. They are partnering with Danita's Children.

148 Million Orphans and now so many more because of the tragedy in Haiti. May the Church rise up and take their place!

Who Will Rise Up?

I've been a weepy mess today. The need in Haiti is incredible. Richard Stearns (CEO of World Vision) said this morning that right now the need still overwhelms the ability to respond. I am overwhelmed by family and friends that have given blankets for Sweet Sleep. I went to Cool Springs with boxes of blankets and sheets for the orphans of Haiti. This morning I prayed that as the relief workers minister to those in Haiti, that their faces would shine with Christ's love. I wish that I could go and be the hands and feet of Christ in Haiti, but it's not my time. And so, instead I give just a little so that someone else can bless a child in Haiti. May God turn this terrible tragedy into something that draws people to Him.

As I was driving slowly to Cool Springs because it was pouring rain, I prayed that God would hold off the rain in Haiti. Can you imagine...all those that are sleeping outside...how horrible if rain comes? I had heard that if the rain comes, the disease will spread all that more quickly. So pray with me, that God will hold back the rain clouds from falling on Haiti. Instead may His Spirit pour down on Haiti.

I turned on the radio and got to hear James MacDonald talking about his recent trip to Haiti. If you know me well, you know I love James MacDonald. He talked about the devastation in Haiti and while blankets and food and water are crucial, who is helping the church in Haiti? He went down there and ministered to church leaders and seminary/Bible professors. He told the story of one Bible college professor who was teaching 2nd year seminary students on the 2nd floor. His wife was teaching first year students on the first floor and when the earthquake hit, the 2nd floor fell and killed all the first year students including his wife. When James talked to him, this professor was comforting his 4 year daughter as they had just buried a wife and a mother. Oh Lord, please send your mercy and comfort to this man! James MacDonald and Mark Driscoll set up a website called Churches Helping Churches. Please go there and listen to the song, "Who Will Rise Up?" I tried to figure out how to get the video on my blog, but I don't think it can be copied. The song and the video are so powerful. Jason Ingram (Chip Ingram's son) from Fellowship Bible wrote the words and music and Lindsay McCaul from Harvest Bible Chapel sang the lyrics. It is beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.

A mission trip slows you down and makes you discern His voice more clearly. When I dropped off the blankets I got to talk to Jen from Sweet Sleep for a little while. I got back in my car and immediately felt the prompting "give her everything in your wallet". I doubted the prompting. I had a decent amount of money in my wallet...it wasn't like it was just $5. I started to pray, "God if this is from you, give me confirmation" and then I stopped. I thought, "Who else would this be from? Of course, God prompted me." I opened my wallet, pulled out the cash, folded it up and quickly handed it to Jen and drove away. I don't tell you this to receive some kind of credit, because honestly I'm ashamed that I debated what to do. I'm ashamed that I didn't give more freely and that I thought about how much money was in my wallet. Seriously, how ridiculous were those thoughts. But I didn't allow the guilt to stay, I thanked God for the opportunity to give and that I obeyed (sometimes I don't).



So, the question remains. Who Will Rise Up? Will the church rise up and take its place among this tragedy? We should pray. We should give...money, blankets, beds, water, food, etc. We should go. We should help rebuild. We should help encourage those that need encouragement. We should go and tell the Good News of Christ. We should help train the nationals so that they can develop godly leaders in every town of their nation.

Church...will you rise up and take your place? I don't want to miss out on the blessings that will come when we obey Him...the one and only true God!

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10

Joel...a beautiful boy

God ordained so many details of my Monday in Uganda. I don't even know where to start. If you remember from my previous post, I spent Monday morning in the bed. Simon and Nathan picked me up probably around 12:30 or 1. Simon was sweet and ordered me some pineapple juice and Pastor Isaac was waiting for us in his truck/jeep/land rover...can't remember what it was.

I knew of Pastor Isaac's testimony, but would later get to hear it first hand from his mouth (what a blessing!! I'll share more about that tomorrow).

I was excited because Beth who works for Exile International would be taking the children through a process of healing. We had done something similar just by talking and praying with the orphans in Zambia. I was excited to see this happen and excited for what it would mean in the lives of these children.

Canaan's Children's Home has 104 children living there, but there were only about 40-45 there on that Monday. The others were visiting family for the holidays. Maybe their family can't afford to keep them all year long, but they at least get to go home for a period for Christmas. It made me a little sad for these 40 that were left behind. Were they true orphans without any family? Was their situation so desperate that they couldn't return home for Christmas? Or were they just unwanted and the family wouldn't have them? So many emotions rolling through my head that day.

So I expected that I would connect with a younger child because my kids are 10, 8 and 7. I thought maybe there's a 5 or 6 year old girl that needs a forever family. She would fit right in with my family. BUT GOD...oh my sweet Lord had other plans for me.

I was sitting with some younger children and at some point I got up to get my camera or something and Simon and Amanda ended up with those children, so I searched for a spot where no one was interacting with some kids and I landed myself in front of a 13year old boy named Joel.

They were supposed to draw a sad time in their life and also draw God in the picture to show that God was there with them. He is always with us! We were then supposed to discuss their picture. Joel told me that his dad died of AIDS when he was 7. I since learned that his mother has passed away as well from AIDS. My heart broke for this boy because what boy doesn't want a daddy. Caroline was sitting next to Joel and she was very shy. I had to really work to get some information out of her, but she told me that she was sad "when they beat me". She might have told me more details...honestly, I can't remember. I was trying my best to compose myself and not become a weepy mess on the floor. If you know me well, you can tell I've been crying in this picture.

I want to scoop these children up and rescue them from their hurts and sadness, but honestly that's God's job! He can bring healing to a hurting heart in ways that I cannot. Through Bethany's words and art, I hope they took the first step.

They were then told to talk about their dreams. What do you they want to do when they get older, etc.? Joel wants to be an engineer.

Joel captured my heart that day in Uganda. I asked Pastor Isaac about him. Joel has a brother too that I didn't get to meet.

I spent a lot of the day with Joel...sitting with him as he drew...watching him get his feet washed and getting a new pair of flip flops.


We got separated at some point, but as we were preparing to leave, he found me. He asked if I would come back to visit him, I told him that I would try my hardest. I wanted to promise him yes, but I didn't want to make a promise that I couldn't keep. If God allows, I will be back in December to visit Canaan's.

I told Joel that his name was in the Bible. Did he know that? I have a thing about Bible names because they tell such a story (did you already know that...my children are Stephen, Matthew and Elizabeth...all Bible names)

As we drove away from Canaan's, God reminded me of the verse that talks about restoring the years the locusts have stolen. I wondered...is this verse in Joel because I think God just reminded me of this verse for Joel. So when we got back to our room, I found the book of Joel and I went to 2:25 because I was pretty sure that was the reference and this is what I found.

And I will restore to you the years the locust has eaten...

A promise for Joel from the book of Joel. May God give back to Joel what Satan has stolen. May God turn into good what Satan intended for evil. May Joel grow and serve the Lord and use his sadness to point others to a God that comforts us during our trials. I don't know Joel's future, but I want to be a part of it. Whether we sponsor him monthly or maybe someday he will sit at our Thanksgiving table whether he's part of our forever family or if he's just visiting us on vacation. What is the best thing for Joel and his brother? It might not be to bring them to America. I really don't know. All I know is that a 13 year old boy stole my heart and that I think about him a lot.

I missed the Karamojong tribe Monday morning, but God instead gave me a sweet boy named Joel who captured my heart. I am so thankful to our Lord and Savior.

Do Something for Haiti's Children

You'll have to act quick, but if you want to give your family a practical way to get involved with relief in Haiti, you can purchase bedding (blankets, sheets,and mats) and children's Bibles. They can be dropped off at the Cool Springs Mall or at Brentwood Baptist on Wednesday. They will then be sent to the Dominican Republic and the team there will help deliver them to Port-au-Prince to these displaced and newly orphaned children. This is a simple opportunity for your family to minister to these sweet children.

(If you'll get the items to me by Wednesday morning, I'll deliver them to Cool Springs on Wednesday afternoon).

More information available at Sweet Sleep.

Info: Bedding Drive for Orphans in Haiti

Who: Sweet Sleep. Sweet Sleep provides bed and bedding to orphaned and abandoned children around the world—including Haiti

What: Sweet Sleep is providing bedding to thousands of displaced and newly orphaned children who are currently being moved to/accepted into a 6 acre property outside of Port-au-Prince. Bedding will include new blankets, sheets and mats (camping, yoga, school, straw, etc). Additionally, Bibles for children and youth are needed and also being collected. Donations should be new or in like-new condition.

When: Wednesday, January 20, 2009

Where: Drop off locations: 1) CoolSprings Galleria Mall, Sears parking lot, lower level. The “Budget” moving truck will be parked between Sears and 1-65. 2) Brentwood Baptist Church---Connection Center, 7777 Concord Rd, Brentwood, TN 27024. BBC can be contacted at 324-6100.

Collection times: 10 am- 7 pm

Other info:
Sweet Sleep will collect these items on Wednesday, January 20, 2009. From there they will be transported to Miami where they will be loaded into a shipping container Friday. The container will ship to the Dominican Republic on Saturday. Our partner organizations are clearing the container through customs and transporting the materials to Port-au-Prince and to the transitional campus where the children are now living. Our partners have been on the ground in PAP since Thursday and have been trucking in supplies from DR since Friday, FYI.

A Second Slice of Humble Pie

When we stepped off the plane in Ethiopia, I immediately smelled that familiar smell. Africa....I didn't know if it would smell that way in Uganda and Ethiopia, but it is a burning and wood type of smell. Some of my wooden items from Zambia smelled that way for awhile, but now, they just smell like America. But I wanted to kiss the ground when we landed in Ethiopia on December 31st, because the smell was there. I knew God had great things in store because He had already given me a familiar smell that brought joy to my heart.

What I didn't expect was all the burning in Uganda to bother my lungs...but it did. It started with a tickle in my throat and then it led to a cough. I knew what was happening...I was getting bronchitis. I rarely get sick. I haven't taken an antiobiotic since 1999 and even then it was as a precaution when we were going through invitro. I've had bronchitis two times that I can remember clearly and both times it was triggered by allergies that got out of control. I debated taking some allergy medicine, but I didn't really think that would help. I was wishing that I had an inhaler...but I don't normally need one, so who would've thought to ask for one. So I fought it for awhile and finally I decided that I needed to start my antibiotic. It hurt to cough....it hurt to breathe...I felt like someone was stepping on my chest. I held off on the antiobiotic because I thought it might give me stomach problems and honestly, no one wants to be in Africa with stomach problems. Some places just have squatty pottys. Yuck!

I didn't want to miss Monday's activities. The team was going to feed the Karamojong tribe and then off to Canaan's Children's Home. I didn't want to miss both and I really debated if I just didn't have enough faith that I could survive the day. But I felt terrible. I had a fever even though I was pretending I didn't. Tabby came back from the morning meeting and told me that Nate and Simon (team leaders) were coming back to pick up the craft bags before Canaan's. That was my answer. I would rest in the morning and then head to Canaan's in the afternoon.

And so, I stayed in the bed and cried. I was sad for what I was missing. I was sad because I felt so crummy. I was sad that I really just wanted to be home in the safe arms of my husband. I was sad that maybe I didn't have enough faith to believe that God could've given me the strength to make it through the entire day. And so I cried and I wept in that bed at Kingfisher Resort. And God grabbed my heart and reminded me that there were children all over this country and all over the world who don't have anyone to hold them when they're sick. No one to tuck them in and pray that they would feel better tomorrow. I was popping advil like it was candy to keep the fever down, but many around the world are without any medication at all and a simple fever lands them in the hospital or ends their sweet life at an early age. Where was my faith? God was calling me to suffer for a short time....just a day really. And so, since I knew I had no right to complain. I accepted the tiny suffering of bronchitis in Africa. I asked the Lord to forgive me and to give me a heart of compassion and kindness for those who have so little. I have so much. And so, I willingly ate my second helping of humble pie.

The Karamojong visit was the highlight of the trip for some of the team. There was a bit of sadness to hear them talk about how their hearts had been broken. But my sweet God had something very different and very special planned for me on Monday afternoon. I would've missed it if I would've gone on the trip on Monday morning. More tomorrow....

The mind of man plans his way, BUT the LORD directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:9
Man's steps are ordained by the LORD, how then can man understand his way?
Proverbs 20:24

Floured Jeans

I was going to post more on Canaan's Children's Home today, but I can't. My emotions are too raw regarding it. I'm not sure why...it's not the worst I've seen, but it tugged at my heart in unbelievable ways. Maybe I'll post tomorrow or I may wait until Monday. I'm sorry, but I can only go so deep right now otherwise I'd just be a blubbering mess of tears huddled in the corner of our house with a box of kleenex.

The poverty in Africa...the corruption of government....the plight of the orphan....the devastation in Haiti...the wealth of America....it all sickens me.

On a much lighter note...if you doubted if I really bagged a bunch of plastic bags of flour or if the team leader really did laugh at me because my face was covered in flour by the time I was done....I give you Exhibit A and Exhibit B.

Those jeans started off a dark shade of denim and turned a nice shade of white flour by the end of the day.

Exhibit A -- packing flour bags by the side of the house. Tabby somehow stayed much cleaner than me.


Sizing precious feet inside Katie's house in my floured jeans :-)